Wednesday, April 9, 2014

How to Make Authentic Mexican Beans - Slow Cooker Hack

Last week, I showed you How to Make Authentic Mexican Beans From Scratch. Today, I will show you a slight variation that takes a little longer, but makes the process a whole lot easier. Today, I will teach you how to make authentic Mexican beans in your slow cooker! It's so easy! You will need:

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking toAmazon.comand affiliated sites. This does not affect your purchase price in anyway.

Sorted and cleaned beans (I am using Pinto beans here)

A slow cooker

Garlic

Salt

Jalapeño, Anaheim, or bell pepper

Just like last time, start with your sorted and cleaned beans.

After thoroughly rinsing them, put them into slow cooker and fill with water. Turn the crock pot on to "HIGH."

The beans will expand to about 1.5 times their size while dry so make sure your pot has enough room for expansion and water. Add HOT water to the beans ensuring that they are completely covered in water. The water should go over the top of the beans by about 2 inches.

Next, get some fresh garlic and peel 4-6 cloves.

Toss the peeled whole garlic and a whole jalapeño into the slow cooker. The jalapeño should not make your beans spicy, but will just add in great flavor. If you are afraid to use jalapeño, or do not have any available, you can you an Anaheim pepper or even slice half of a bell pepper and put that instead.

Put the lid on and let them cook. Check on the beans every hour stirring them and ensuring they are still covered in water. If they need water, add in HOT water (or the beans will turn dark). The beans should take anywhere from three to six hours (six to eight of cooked on low--great for overnight cooking). The beans will be soft and will look like this when they are done. Just add salt to taste!

Beans freeze for later!

Place cooled beans in a Ziplock freezer bag. Lay it flat while freezing. Do defrost, place the frozen bag into hot water until the beans have loosened from the bag (they will probably still be frozen into a bag shape). Next, pour your "brick" of beans into into a large lidded pot and keep on a low heat until completely warmed.